Right - engine sorted - now cats!!

[stig]

Thanks for your advice re. engine which confirmed my suspicions that a Chevy is the way to go. The additional work involved in using another power plant will be a pain (and costly) so it makes sense to go this route.

However, there are now 2 issues that I need to consider that I'd value your advice on.

1. Cats - I seem to remember that you need a pre-'71? block to not need cats - is this the case?

2. Am I right in thinking then that ally blocks weren't/aren't available to comply with this so an ally block would need cats (NOT desireable!)

The advantage with the ally block would be less weight, so (whilst trying to keep to my budget) I could go for a less powerful lump as the power/weight ratio would even out? Given that there's a $4k premium that is.

Thought?

Cheers
Stig

>>> Edited by stig on Friday 21st June 09:02

[ultiman]

Stig
l went for an iron block but was considering aly. l was concerned about the SVA as it was ever changing. As it transpired, the SVA was a doddle and they were not concerned about the engine number or details. lf l was doing another build (l am tempted) l would go for aly but with bigger power, 550 or so. Watch for the American measure of horsepower. They use ponies, so when compared with our horses they are a bit lower than quoted.

[ultimapaul]

I think you can go quite a bit later than '71 before you need to add cats. A phone call to the factory should clear that point up.
An alloy engine sounds good but I'm not sure when they were available from, so again you may end up in the cat trap!
My understanding of the law is .... you are allowed one second hand part and still register the car as new, so you make this the engine block. The emmissions are taken from the period of block manufacture. Mine being a '72 block only needed a visual emmissions check.

Another option is to have a cheap & chearful engine for SVA & registration purposes, then install your real engine when these formallities are complete.....just a thought!